While all of the excitement was going on with the team and Scorpion, Aari, Kristina, Aubrey and Tiffany, along with Storm, were watching Margaret, just in case some of the men from Butcher show up to kidnap her or perhaps to even kill her. After all, she has been causing them a lot of trouble by getting us involved in finding Karalyn.

While Aari was watching out an upstairs window of the house across the street, a car drove up and parked in front of Margaret’s home. Aari looked and could tell a woman was driving, but he could not see her clearly enough to know who it was. The girls and Storm were downstairs getting some dinner ready. The lady stepped out of her car and Aari could see her plainly.

He looked at his phone, sure enough, it was Freda, sister to Butcher. “Kristina,” he said, “Freda is going up to Margaret’s house, go get her.” The girls went right away after telling Storm to stay with Aari. He ran upstairs right away while the girls went to get Freda. Kristina ran in front of Freda. “Stop right there Freda,” she said, “just turn around and go with us.”

“Sorry girl,” said Freda smugly, “but I am going to visit a good friend of mine.” “If you are looking for a good friend,” continued Kristina, “you are at the wrong address. Now turn around and start walking.” She then pulled out her gun and Aubrey took Freda’s purse. Freda was ready to scream, but she knew better than to try something like that.

The girls brought her back to the house and put our handcuffs on her wrists and ankles. “You do not know who you are dealing with girls,” she said angrily. “Oh, but they do indeed,” said Aari as he entered the living room. “You!” exclaimed Freda, “you are one of those PI’s!” “We are all PI’s,” he said, “and now you are our prisoner.” “My brother will come and squash all of you,” she protested. “Then we just might have to kill you,” said Kristina.

Meanwhile… “Something has gone wrong,” Banker told Butcher. “What do you mean by that?” he asked, “I do not like when things go wrong.” “Well, when I gave that PI an injection this time,” he began, “he just started shaking and groaning, talking about nowhere like it was a real place. He even mentioned talking cats and a ghost and a dead wife that is alive and being a billionaire and then he just collapsed into a coma.

I never had such a reaction before, but maybe he is on other medication and it reacted badly with my drug.” “Well, get on with it,” said Butcher, “is he going to live or not?!” “No idea Butcher,” he replied, “I would say his chances are not good.” “Great,” said Butcher, “now we will never get any information from that guy.” Just then Butcher got a phone call.

“Hi Butcher,” said a voice, “I just want you to know that I have your sister and if you want her back, then you will need to pay a price.” There was silence, then a lot of smashing could be heard. “Someone took Freda!” he yelled to Lucky, “get some men together and go get her.” “Uh, get her where?” asked Lucky. “How should I know!” he yelled, “wait a minute.” Then he returned to his phone.

“What kind of price you want?” asked Butcher. “You have a friend of mine,” said Aari, “we will do an even trade, your sister for Steve.” “He wants to trade Freda for that PI,” said Butcher to Banker. “Go for it,” said Banker, “before that PI dies on us.” “Okay, it is a deal,” he said, “where do we make the trade?” “Very sensible,” said Aari, “there is a small park on Wicker Street, we will meet there and make the trade.

But do not try anything. Oh, I also have some information for you which I will give you at the trade. You will want to hear this information.” So they set up a time and Butcher, Banker and Lucky arrived with Steve. “Yep, they have Steve,” said Crystal. “They also brought along some heavy firepower too,” said Kate, “get set Rock, they are all inside your circle.”

“We are all ready Kat,” he replied. Lucky parked and the three of them got out of the car. Lucky and Banker helped me since I was unable to walk, even a little. As they moved away from the car Kat joined them from behind. “Do not try anything stupid Butcher,” she said. He stopped and turned around.

“It was stupid to bring your men along like you did,” she said, “but our team has surrounded your men, if they try anything, you will die, I will see to that. Oh, you need not worry, I can keep my promise, your men cannot kill me, you see, I am already dead and you cannot kill a dead person.” Lucky and Banker turned now too. “Just keep walking,” said Kate…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.